High school wrestling preview: Marshwood now in defending mode

DOVER — Marshwood High School's emotional 2012 Maine Class A state championship wrestling win is behind them. Now the Hawks set their sights on the 2013 title.

They are in very good shape for a repeat performance.

Marshwood returns four state champions, including sophomore Cody Hughes who went 51-2 last year (undefeated in Maine) and was named the most outstanding wrestler at the Class A tournament. The three other champions returning are seniors Tyler Davidson (a three-time state champ) and Nick Janes and sophomore Jackson Howarth.

Marshwood easily won the title with 167 points, well ahead of runner-up Massabesic (109.5). Three-time defending champion Noble finished a disappointing seventh.

The key for veteran coach Matt Rix is replacing his heavier wrestlers like Nick Ricker and Jake Barrisano, who graduated.

“We've got 40 kids on the team,” Rix said. “We've picked up some big kids. With the guys we lost, we're trying to fill some big holes. They're decent athletes and working hard. We're hoping to get something out of them by the end of the season.”

Also back are Elliot Allen and Trevor Smith who placed second at the states, as well as Lucas Howarth who was third. Also back are Brett Gerry, William Bellottie and Dan Lizotte.

Of the four defending state champions, only Janes (who picked up his 100th career win this past Saturday on his 18th birthday) will likely stay at his same weight (145 pounds). Rix said Hughes has grown and will wrestle at 160 or 170, Davidson will be at 120 or 126 and Jackson Howarth will move up to 145 or 152.

Allen and Smith will move up to 113 and 132 or 138, respectively. Others who fit into the picture are Gerry (182), Lizotte (182, 195), Bellottie (126, 132) and Lucas Howarth (170, 182).

“Everyone is going for you when you come back as defending champ,” said Rix, whose team won its first Class A title last winter since moving up in 1999. Previously the Hawks had won four championships in Class B. “You've got something to live up to.”

Rix is reenergized coaching after nearly giving it up in the wake of his son Matty's death by an apparent drug overdose in 2009. In that aftermath the team committed to Rix and the program, focusing on doing the right things.

“They picked me up,” he said. “It made me realize it's a big part of who I am. It got me out of the ditches. It made me feel I had a purpose to be here. It's been a good thing.”

Last year's team dedicated its season to Matty (his initials M.T.R. were on the singlets). This year's senior class was incoming when Matty died, so the connection continues.

Moving ahead, coach Rix is taking classes to be a substance abuse counselor.

Over in Noble, the Knights will try to shake off one if its worst seasons in recent memory. Only five wrestlers advanced to the Class A states last winter and though four placed, none made a final. Two return in junior Bill Gagner, who was third at 106, and Jon Badger, third at 170.

“It was a long season,” said veteran Noble coach Kip DeVoll. “We were hit with discipline and grade issues, and we never recovered.”

Gagner (113) and Badger (170) lead a young team, which has had early success with wins at three tournaments in Bath and Brewer, Maine, and this past weekend in St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Four freshman who are looking good are Otto Keisker (145), Devin Bourque (126), James Hogg (132) and Hunter Smith (195).

DeVoll says everyone is still chasing Marshwood.

“They're the team to beat,” he said. “It's a goal for us to get to the level they're at. ... Usually we're being hunted. This is good for the freshmen. They need to know what it's like to work for something.”

DeVoll said he is not going to overstate his team's goals. They need to stay healthy and eligible, but he feels if that happens they can be a top-five team come February.

“We need to try and keep improving,” he said.

Noble has won 11 of the last 14 Class A state titles, including eight straight from 1999 to 2006.